Graham Turner: Our confidence has been hit by poor run
Boss Graham Turner has challenged his Shrewsbury Town players to make amends for their FA Cup horror show by serving him up with a rare clean sheet at form side Bournemouth.
Turner ordered his players in for a Sunday inquest after they were embarrassingly felled at the competition's first hurdle by local rivals Hereford at the weekend.
He wants them to stand up and be counted to help them restore their flagging confidence over two tough away trips, starting with tonight's clash with the Cherries.
Sheffield Wednesday loan capture Julian Bennett is available to help out a back four which has leaked 11 goals in the last four outings.
"I'd like to see a different defence in that we actually do defend – we've got to start keeping clean sheets and making it difficult for the opposition to get chances," stressed Turner.
"We've now got an experienced defender in Julian and his arrival will be a little boost for us. He's played at Championship level and is a talker and organiser."
Bennett, 27, could make his Shrewsbury debut at the Goldsands Stadium occupying the problematic left-back berth, but the former Nottingham Forest man is also at home operating at centre-half.
Bennett's know-how could be vital against a Bournemouth attack which has been rampant in winning four of Eddie Howe's five games since the former Burnley boss returned to take the managerial reins. Their latest triumph was the 4-0 FA Cup mauling of Dagenham and Redbridge.
"Bournemouth are a very good side, but we've got to look at the positive side now and get the players ready for the challenge," added Turner.
"Their body language has got to change. At the moment it's fragile because of the results we've had in the league and then the Cup upset.
"Players don't want to lose games, but there are times when they let themselves down. Without being unkind on Hereford, we've struggled against one or two League One sides, but they are a Conference side and we should not be struggling against them.
"The reaction from that will be important and it's a massive, big week with two difficult away matches (Leyton Orient on Saturday). We've got to replicate some of the performances we had earlier in the season. We've not had the results we deserved and our confidence has been affected.
"As a result the performances have started to drop off. The players have now got to show some bottle."
One of the few to put in a shift in the Edgar Street setback, midfielder Luke Summerfield, should be fit despite dislocating his thumb during the tie.
"He spent a couple of hours in hospital in Hereford and the joint was put back in place. He was in a lot of pain, but it won't stop him playing (at Bournemouth)," added Greenhous Meadow boss Turner.